That is why, since December 2014, our government has led the negotiations among Canada’s provinces, territories and the federal government to remove the trade barriers that are keeping us from reaching our full potential as a nation.
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Health care is expected to be a major topic on the final day of the premiers meeting in Whitehorse.
Ontario Premier Kathleen Wynne, right, British Columbia Premier Christy Clark, centre, and Quebec Premier Philippe Couillard arrive to speak to the media during a meeting of Premiers in Whitehorse, Y.T., Friday, July, 22, 2016.
“The toughest issues are always left for the end, so it’s going to be requiring more work, but I’m not giving up on the possibility of a deal while we are here”.
Asked about recent comments from Prime Minister Justin Trudeau about the need for a national price on carbon, Saskatchewan’s Brad Wall bristled at the fact Mr. Trudeau made his comments before a federal-provincial working group had a chance to report on it – although Mr. Trudeau said nothing about how that price would implemented.
“It’s ridiculous you can’t buy B.C. wine in Ontario when you can buy it nearly anywhere else around the world”, said British Columbia Premier Christy Clark. Discussions will focus on economic productivity and innovation, infrastructure, trade and energy, as well as other priority issues.
The federal Liberals promised to negotiate a new health accord with the provinces and territories, including a long-term deal on funding.
The premiers are also expected to discuss health care, climate change and pension reform.
Alberta Premier Rachel Notley said she will discuss the need for pipelines to tidewater along with disaster response and recovery after the Fort McMurray wildfire.
Earlier in the day, Clark emphasized the importance of internal free trade, especially after Republican presidential nominee Donald Trump’s criticism of the North American Free Trade Agreement during his speech Thursday night.
Political scientist Hamish Telford said the meetings allow the premiers to map strategy and co-ordinate their approaches to the federal government on often-complicated and costly issues.
“If there was ever a time when Canadians need to come together and have free trade in our own country, it must be now when Americans are making noises like that”.
Couillard repeated his opposition to any strings at all. “This is a concept we will never let go”.
Provinces and territories are encouraged by the participation of the federal government in the new Federal Provincial Territorial Indigenous Forum (FPTIF), which includes the federal, provincial and territorial governments, as well as AFN, ITK, MNC, IPAC and NWAC.
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Dwight Ball will be joining the rest of Canada’s Premiers in Yukon tomorrow for the Council of the Federation’s annual Summer meeting.
